News / Scottish fire chief leads tributes to retiring Moar
SCOTLAND’s chief fire officer paid tribute to outgoing retained Lerwick firefighter Jim Moar in person at his retirement party at the weekend.
A retirement bash was held at Lerwick’s Sound Hall on Saturday and chief fire officer Alasdair Hay made a surprise appearance to personally honour Moar.
He presented him with a retirement certificate, a figurine and a fireman’s axe, while colleagues also clubbed together to buy Moar and his wife, two country music fans, a trip to Nashville.
Hay said Moar, who received an MBE in 2007, was a model fireman who continually put the public first throughout his long career.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the man from Lerwick was one of the longest serving firefighters in the country.
“Jim embodies all the qualities of a retained firefighter and I congratulate him on his exemplary conduct over a 45 year career,” Hay said.
“In that time, he has assisted countless families and has been an outstanding public servant.
“The fire service has undergone enormous change since Jim joined in the 1970s. In the years that followed, the role of a firefighter also underwent a dramatic transformation in order to meet the needs of our communities.
“But Jim continued to stand on the front line throughout, with that unwavering commitment so very typical of our firefighters and I thank him for his loyalty. His example should stand as inspiration to the colleagues he leaves behind as well as to future generations of firefighters.”
Group manager Myles Murray said Moar was a “tremendous ambassador” for the Lerwick station and the Scottish fire service as a whole.
“It’s also testament to his character that so many of his former colleagues wanted to come together to wish him well,” he added.
Shetland MSP Tavish Scott suggested Moar’s contribution to the fire service is “unlikely to be matched”.
“It is great to see his efforts recognised by fire service colleagues and I hope that Jim is enjoying his well-earned retirement,” he said.
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